First Year
All students study all of the three subjects below and take a common core, consisting of introductory modules in Greek and Roman History and Art and Architecture. Students following the single language pathway take further modules in: Reading and Writing about Ancient Literature, Sources and Methods for Ancient History and Archaeology, language-based modules at either Beginners’ or Intermediate level, depending on whether you have studied the language before.
Students following the dual language pathway take modules in both Greek and Latin at Beginners’ or Intermediate level, as appropriate; if beginning both languages from scratch, they follow the single language pathway in first year and begin the second language in second year:
Second, third and fourth years
In your second year, you will be asked to confirm your choice of pathway, and will have the opportunity to focus on the aspects of the programme that most interest you. Students following the single language pathway choose a preponderance of modules in Ancient History and Archaeology or Classical Civilisation in accordance with their preferred degree outcome (Single or Joint Honours or Major/Minor). At this stage, you may or may not choose to continue with the language taken in first year; you will also have the option of taking Trinity Elective modules or Approved Modules from another programme.
Students following the dual language pathway will continue to study both languages at Beginners or Intermediate level, and will take Trinity Elective modules or Open Modules.
In third and fourth year, you will continue to specialise in either Ancient History and Archaeology, Classical Civilisation or Classics, according to your preferred degree outcome. All modules are taught through lectures and small-group seminars and will encourage you to discuss key themes of relevance to both the ancient and modern world.
Ancient History and Archaeology modules offer the opportunity to focus on specific themes and periods in the history and archaeology of the Mediterranean, develop a deeper awareness of methods and theory, engage with ethical issues concerning cultural heritage,and to do ‘hands on’ work with artefacts. Classical Civilisation modules focus on specific genres (e.g. epic, drama, philosophy, history-writing) or themes (e.g. gender and sexuality, humans and other animals): you will refine your analysis of texts in their context through specialised methodologies. In fourth year you will choose from a range of options, such as Entertainment and Spectacle; Goddesses of the Ancient Mediterranean; Anthropology and the Greeks; Kings and Cities; Constantine; Ancient Novel.
Third and fourth year modules in Classics progress to an in-depth study Greek and Roman literature, history and culture. You will refine your analysis of texts in their literary and cultural context through more specialised methodologies. Greek topics may include lyric and Hellenistic poetry, philosophy, and the novel. Latin topics may include Augustan poetry, Senecan tragedy, didactic poetry, early Latin, and satire.
Fourth year for all students includes a Capstone project, in the form of a dissertation on a subject of your choice. This is an opportunity to develop independent ideas and acquire critical skills while investigating in greater depth an area that particularly interests you.
